The loss of suitable spawning habitats is a global threat to amphibians. Thus, the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) establishing man-made ponds serve as a successful conservation practice to counteract this threat.
A citizen science (CS) approach to create mini-ponds in private gardens and participants to monitor amphibian activity was selected. 302 polyethylene mini-ponds to citizen scientists across the range of the target species, the European green toad (Bufotes viridis), in Austria were provides.
In the first year (2024), B. viridis and 12 other amphibian taxa were recorded at 38% of the monitored sites. Signs of amphibian reproduction were detected in 10% of the mini-ponds.
Additional Link:
- Reference
- 1.C.2
- Project locations
- Austria
- Project website
- https://www.biodiversitaetsfonds.com